Should I Prep my Skin with a Stretch Mark Cream Before Breast Augmentation?

Is it very common for women to end up with stretch marks as a result of BA? I bought Bio Oil and have been using it twice a day..figured it can't hurt to be pro-active. But my surgey is a few weeks away and I don't want to waste my time doing that if it really won't make a difference or it's just not necessary. Advice?

Doctor Answers 18

Preventing Stretch Marks after Breast Augmentation?

November 7th, 2012

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You are correct in that stretch marks do occasionally occur after breast augmentation surgery. However, there is no evidence that “pretreatment” of the skin prior to breast augmentation surgery will be helpful. On the other hand, your time investment doing so will likely be minimal and may give you some peace of mind ( that you have been proactive).

Stretch marks

November 11th, 2012

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I have had a few cases where patients developed stretch marks following breast implants. In those cases, the patients experienced only a few stretch marks, but they were disconcerting nonetheless. You are right that there will probably be no harm I using cream to try to prevent them, but there is no evidence that it works. Just make sure it is okay with your surgeon. the risk of getting stretch marks overall from the procedure is quite low.

Skin treatment against possible stretch marks to come after BA

Unfortunately, there is not direct correlation between pre-op skin treatment for stretch marks and their post-op formation after breast augmentations.

Normally, post-op stretch marks attributed to breast augmentations are rare and if they tend to happen they will be mostly attributed to a skin with limited elasticity and/or extra large implants used during surgery.

However, I believe that consulting with your dermatologist concerning the Bio Oil you are using may be helpful.

Breast Augmentation Pictures

Stretch Marks with Breast Augmentation

November 8th, 2012

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It is uncommon, although not unheard of, to get stretch marks from a breast augmentation. If you notice stretch marks after surgery it is usually an amplification of stretch marks that were there previously.

With regard to creams, I am not aware of any good evidence to suggest that any pre-treatment works to prevent the development of stretch marks. That being said, hydration is a key part of good skin care. At a minimum, your skin will feel and look better.

I think this is a case of "no harm, no foul." If the cream is not too expensive, there is nothing to loose, and peace of mind to gain.

Stretch Mark Cream Before Breast Augmentation?

November 7th, 2012

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Stretch marks usually occur after skin is stretched by weight change, pregnancy, and occasionally after breast augmentation. It is hard to imagine that your remedy will do any harm, but there is really no evidence that any of the products available are useful preventatives.

You can if you want

November 11th, 2014

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There is nothing really you can do to prep your skin for breast augmentation, because it depends on your genetics and skin quality more than anything whether you develop stretchmarks or not. If you have a history of stretchmarks then your risk of developing them after surgery is higher. But, you can always keep your skin well moisturized so that it's more resilient.

Stretchmarks

October 26th, 2014

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Whether or not a patient develops stretch marks following breast augmentation depends on a number of individual factors. The most important of these elements are the patient’s predisposition toward developing stretch marks, the size of the implant used in the procedure (larger implants cause greater skin stretch) and the techniques used during the augmentation procedure itself.

Most patients report that within three to four months reddish/purplish stretch marks begin to turn silvery and continue to fade with time until they’re barely noticeable. Unfortunately, creams haven't really been proven effective in eradicating stretch marks, but you can try if you'd like.

Stretch marks

November 15th, 2012

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Stretch marks are uncommon in our experience - particularly if the implants are placed behind the muscle and are not super-large compared to the space available. Fewer than 5% of patients get new stretch marks. It makes sense to ensure that the skin is moisturized prior to surgery - but I haven't seen any scientific studies that show that pre-treatment reduces stretch marks. Best of luck!

Breast Augmentation and Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are one of the risks of breast augmentation. Since your breasts will be larger after surgery, your skin will need to stretch to accommodate them.

You can apply cocoa or Shea butter to your breasts daily after surgery. Begin doing this as early as possible. The natural butters helps keep skin moisturized, therefore making it less susceptible to stretching and scarring. Dry skin is much more likely to scar from the stretching process.

After your breasts have fully healed from surgery, you can massage your breasts daily to increase circulation, allowing blood and nutrients to more easily reach the skin, thereby preventing and improving stretch marks.

Follow your plastic surgeon's aftercare instructions properly.

I have provided a direct link below for additional information as well as a lot of before and after pictures.

No need to stress!

November 11th, 2012

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It is very uncommon to get stretch marks on your breasts after a breast augmentation unless the implants are placed above the muscle, a practice that I do not condone. Make sure your implants are being placed beneath the muscle!!! Putting anything on your breasts before the surgery probably won't make a difference but do it if it makes you feel better.

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